I3 Syllabus, Fall 2015

CEP, Teachers College

Community English Program Fall 2015
Teachers College, Columbia
University
Instructor: Xun Zhong (Peggie)
E-mail: xz2401@tc.columbia.edu
Level: Intermediate 3
Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Class time: 9:00 11:00
Classroom: GDH 361 (except Nov.20th GDH 539)
Course Description:
The course is designed to help Intermediate English language learners develop English
listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills that is required for everyday
life. Using a theme-based teaching approach, students will learn grammar, pronunciation as
well as relevant vocabulary to meet daily needs.
About the
CEP
The Community Language Program (CLP) is a unique and integral part of the TESOL and
Applied Linguistics Programs at Teachers College, Columbia University. It provides English as
a second language and foreign language instruction to adult learners of diverse nationalities and
backgrounds. In addition, the CLP serves as an on- site language education lab in which
TESOL and Applied Linguistics faculty and students enrolled in the programs teach the courses
and use the CLP as a setting for empirical inquiry. Here at Teachers College we believe that
observation and classroom research are the best way to learn about how we teach and gain
insights into how teaching might take place. Thus, we encourage observation and classroom
research and want people to use it as a tool for learning. Ongoing assessment and program
evaluation allow us to make the CLP a better program.
Important dates:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 9
Week 10

Monday, Sept 21
Friday, Sept 25
Wednesday, Sept 30
Monday-Friday, Nov 23-27
Monday or Wednesday, Nov 30-Dec 2
Friday, Dec 4

First day of classes

Last day for transfers
Last day for refunds
Thanksgiving break: No classes
Final exam
Last day of classes

I3 Syllabus, Fall 2015

CEP, Teachers College
Course Textbook and Workbook: (available at the Columbia University Bookstore at 115th and
Broadway)
1. On Target 1 Intermediate (2nd edition). (2000). Longman.
2. On Target Workbook 1 (2nd edition). (2000). Longman.
We will cover units 9 through 12.
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course students will be able to develop,
Listening and speaking skills through classroom participation, discussions, and
oral presentations
Reading comprehension skills by reading and interpreting texts on and from
everyday life sources
Writing skills
Grammar by focusing and practicing form, meaning, and use
Course Requirements:
Unit Test: 45% (=15% *3)
Final test: 30%
Attendance and Participation: 10%
Homework: 15%
Grading:
A+
Excellent
A+ 97 100%
A 94 96%
A- 90 93%
/B+
Good
B+ 87 89%
B 84 86%
B- 80 83%
/C+
Satisfactory
C+ 77 79%
C 73 76%
C- 70 72%
/(pass)
Fail/Repeat Poor (no pass)
69% or Below
D 63 66%
D- 60 62%
W
Withdrawal (With permission from the teacher and the Director, the student
withdrew from the course due to extenuating circumstances)
Attendance Policy:
If a student misses 5 or more classes, s/he cannot pass the course. If
the student is late for 10 classes, s/he cannot pass the course
Technology Policy
Cell Phone: Please put away your cell phone for 2 hours during the class unless you have to take
notes by phone camera.
Electronic Dictionary: When you run into new vocab, please dont rush to your E-Dictionary. Ask
your classmates or me for any problem. (Great chance for oral and listening practice!)
Food & Drink Policy:
Food and drinks are okay, as long as they arent loud, crunchy, stinky, and smelly. Clean after you
eat and drink.

I3 Syllabus, Fall 2015

CEP, Teachers College
APPROXIMATE
SCHEDULE
Week Theme

Grammar

1, 2,3 Unit 9:
Stressed
Out

Adjective
Clauses;
Relative
Pronouns
as
Subjects;
Relative
Pronouns
as Objects

3, 4, 5 Unit 10:
Youve Got
to Be
Kidding!

Listening and
Speaking
Listening:
Stressful Jobs
Identifying
Opinions

Reading and
Writing
Reading: Chocolate:
A World Favorite
Understanding
Reference

Pronunciation:
Stress and
Intonation

Writing:
Using
Examples

Personal
Preferences
Expressing
Preferences
Present Perfect Listening: The Talk
Progressive
Show Guest
Tense; Present Listening to
Perfect vs.
Confirm Predictions
Present Perfect
Progressive
Pronunciation:
Tense
Reducing h
sounds

5, 6, 7 Unit 11:
Habitual
From Rags to Actions in
Riches
the Past:
Used to +
Verb; Get/Be
used to

Reading: A Record- Test 2: Oct

14 or 15
Breaking Book
Distinguishing Fact or 16
and Opinion
Writing: Using
Transitions

Speaking: True
Stories Expressing
Surprise or Disbelief
Listening: What
Went Wrong?
Listening for Tone
of Voice

Reading: San
Simeon One
Mans Dream Summarizing

Pronunciation:
Reducing to

Writing:
Summarizing

Speaking: Past
Experiences
Introducing a New
Topic and
Returning to a

Unit Test
Dates
Test 1:
Sep 30 or
Oct 1 or 2

Test 3: Oct
28 or 29
or 30

I3 Syllabus, Fall 2015

CEP, Teachers College
7, 8, 9

Unit 12:
First
Hit the Jackpot Conditional
Possible
Results; If,
Unless

Topic
Listening: Jackpot
Shop!
Understanding
Numbers
Pronunciation:
Unstressed you

10

Speaking: The City

Club Describing
Consequences
Revision and Final Exam

Reading: Board
Games Past and
Present
Understanding Text
Organization
Writing: Instructions

Final
Exam: Nov
30-Dec 2

Program Policies
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.
Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with
Disabilities (OASID) for information about registering with the office. You can reach OASID by
email at oasid@tc.columbia.edu, stop by 163 Thorndike Hall or call 212-678-3689. Services are
available only to students who are registered and submit appropriate documentation. As your
instructor, I am happy to discuss specific needs with you as well.
It is the policy of Teachers College to respect its members observance of their major religious
holidays. Students should notify instructors at the beginning of the semester about their wishes to
observe holidays on days when class sessions are scheduled. Where academic scheduling conflicts
prove unavoidable, no student will be penalized for absence due to religious reasons, and
alternative means will be sought for satisfying the academic requirements involved. If a suitable
arrangement cannot be worked out between the student and the instructor, students and instructors
should consult the Program Director. If an additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to the
Provost.

Have a great semester!